This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
WW Recipe of the Day: Turkey Meatloaf with Quinoa and Zucchini
I love meat loaf! There is lots to love. It is easy to make, good hot, cold, or at room temperature, and can be made ahead.
As Laurie Colwin wrote in More Home Cooking (affiliate link), “Like potato salad, it always seems to be good. I have never run into an unlovable meatloaf, but I have loved some better than others.”
It’s homey home cooking at its best.
My go-to recipe when using ground beef is this Weight Watchers Meatloaf. Flavorful and packed with veggies, I’ve made it dozens of times.
Recently a Weight Watchers turkey meatloaf recipe, featured in Weight Watchers Love It, Cook It, Eat It (affiliate link) cookbook, caught my eye. I think Laurie would have considered this meatloaf very lovable. We did! Made with quinoa, instead of bread crumbs, it’s gluten-free. Shredded zucchini adds moisture and flecks of color.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Turkey Meatloaf with Quinoa and Zucchini?
Another winning Weight Watchers recipe, each generous slice has 185 calories and 4 Points. To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan) And works with the old WW Simply Filling plan.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cooked Quinoa – Be sure to give it a good rinse in a fine mesh sieve before cooking it to remove the bitter protective coating called saponin, unless yours says it’s pre-washed. To save time, there are several brands of packaged precooked quinoa packets on grocery store shelves. You will need 1/2 cup uncooked or 1-1/2 cups cooked quinoa. You could substitute other cooked grains here such as rice, oats, barley, couscous or bulgur.
- Shredded zucchini – Be sure to squeeze it well to remove excess moisture. Good substitutions here would be shredded yellow squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, carrots, or finely chopped mushrooms.
- Egg whites – While the recipe calls for 2 egg whites I often substitute 1 whole egg. It seems like a more economical option, unless you are concerned about cholesterol.
- Chopped onion – any variety of onion will work here – red, white, yellow, scallion, etc.
- Parsley – while fresh is preferable I often use dried when it is all I have on hand.
- Dried Italian seasoning – one of my go-to seasoning blends. Other blends that would work include Herbes de Provence (affiliate link), Pizza Seasoning, or Greek Seasoning. You could also use single herbs such as thyme, oregano, or basil.
- Chili sauce or ketchup – Chili sauce is a condiment made with chili peppers and tomato. You can usually find it in the grocery store near the ketchup, or just substitute ketchup instead. Either will work, as would BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, cocktail sauce or salsa.
- Salt and Pepper – My favorite salt is Diamond Crystal kosher salt, but any salt would work. You could also use a seasoned salt for a flavor boost.
- Ground turkey – While the original recipe called for ground turkey breast, any ground turkey or beef that is at least 90% lean is now Zero Points on the latest WW Plan.
How to Use Leftover Low Fat Turkey Meatloaf
While you could wrap the meatloaf well and store it in the freezer for future quick and easy lunches and dinners, I love to repurpose the leftovers, using them in both traditional and unexpected ways. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.
1. Meatloaf Sandwich
- Slice the meatloaf thin and serve it on whole-grain bread or a bun.
- Add toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a smear of mustard or light mayo.
2. Crumble for Tacos or Wraps
- Crumble the meatloaf and use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or lettuce wraps.
- Add toppings like shredded lettuce, salsa, avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese.
3. Meatloaf-Stuffed Bell Peppers or Zucchini
- Hollow out bell peppers or zucchini and stuff them with crumbled meatloaf mixed with cooked rice, quinoa, or beans.
- Top with marinara sauce and bake until the peppers are tender.
4. Meatloaf Pasta Sauce
- Crumble the meatloaf into marinara sauce and serve it over pasta or zoodles.
- Add veggies like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrients.
5. Meatloaf Soup
- Dice the meatloaf and add it to a broth with vegetables and pasta or rice.
- A turkey meatloaf minestrone is a comforting option.
6. Protein-Packed Salad
- Crumble or slice the meatloaf and use it as a protein topping for a salad.
- Add greens, roasted veggies, and a tangy vinaigrette.
If you’ve made this Low Fat Turkey Meatloaf, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Weight Watchers Turkey Meatloaf with Quinoa and Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 medium zucchini, shredded and squeezed to remove some of the moisture (about 1 cup)
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped (I used 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chili sauce or ketchup, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground skinless turkey breast
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, line the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with foil. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees.
- Place the zucchini in a large bowl. Add the egg whites, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, 1/4 cup chili sauce, salt and pepper. Add the turkey and quinoa and mix well to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan. Shape it into a 5 x 11-inch rectangle loaf. Brush the remaining 1/4 cup chili sauce evenly over the loaf.
- Bake until an instant read thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf reads 165F degrees, about 50 to 55 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let rest at least 5 minutes so it’s easier to cut. Cut into 6 even pieces.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 4 SmartPoints (Green plan) 2 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 1 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) Quinoa grows with a bitter protective coating called saponin. Be sure to give it a good rinse in a fine mesh sieve before cooking it, unless yours says it’s pre-washed. Chili sauce is a condiment made with chili peppers and tomato. You can usually find it in the grocery store near the ketchup, or just substitute ketchup instead.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: Weight Watchers Love It, Cook It, Eat It (affiliate link)
More Healthy Meatloaf Recipes for WW
- Skinny Mini Meatloaf Muffins
- WW Classic Homestyle Slow Cooker Meatloaf
- Easy Healthy Weight Watchers Meatloaf
- Paula Deen’s Meatloaf
- WW Meal Plan featuring this Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf
Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers
- A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the WeightWatchers Program
- A Comprehensive List of Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers
- What Foods Should I Eat in a Day on WeightWatchers
- WeightWatchers Zero Points Foods List
- WeightWatchers Friendly Meal Plans
- Why We Are More Motivated the Closer We Get to Our Goals – Another powerful WW Weekly Workshop Topic.
Would this be half cup uncooked quinoa, or cook quinoa and then use half cup cooked?
Hi Candace,
You cook 1/2 cup of quinoa and then use the entire amount once it is cooked. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Can you make these in a muffin pans?
Would you change anything?
Hi Donna, I haven’t tried making this is muffin pans but think it would work fine. They will of course cook more quickly. ~Martha
It says ground turkey breast. Is that the 99% fat free ground turkey you see in packages in the store?
Yes, Sarah if it is sowing 99% fat free it would be ground breast and not a combination of white and dark meat. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Made this tonight with ketchup and it was a big hit. Very moist and full of flavor. Will definitely add to a favorite healthy recipe. Thank you
Thanks for letting us know Sivan. It’s much appreciated 🙂